To echo Tim's words, thanks for thinking of us. It would be an honor to attend. We'd be glad to help contact various people from Walt Disney Records' past history to see if they can also be there. One of our goals in writing the book was to give these great artists well-deserved recognition. Some of the folks who might be worth checking into include:
GINNY TYLER
Tim's already mentioned Ginny as a possibility if her health permits. She was the "Disneyland Storyteller" on the early 60's book and LP sets, voiced the girl squirrel in SWORD IN THE STONE and did the witch voice in SNOW WHITE'S ADVENTURES ("Enjoy your ride!!!!")
GENE MERLINO
He sang, uncredited, on the "second cast" LP's of BABES IN TOYLAND and FAMILY BAND, among others. He was also in the chorus that sang the GILLIGAN theme in its second and third seasons an was the singing voice of Sir Lancelot in the film version of CAMELOT.
DR. GEORGE PATTERSON
He was one of The Wellingtons, who Walt personally chose to sing on his record label, doing a number of albums and singles, including "A Whale of a Tale" and "Davy Crockett." They also sang the GILLIGAN theme in its first season.
COREY BURTON
An immensely gifted voice actor whom you have heard on countless commercials and cartoons. He was one of the stable of actors who did voices for the Disney read alongs of the 70s and 80s. He also does a phenomenal Paul Frees voice for Haunted Mansion holiday as well as Ludwig von Drake. Other voice actors from this era include Patty Parris and Charles Howerton.
PETER RENADAY (aka Pete Renoudet)
Disney Park guests hear him as Henry the Bear at the Country Bear Jamboree, but Pete also did a number of important records including THE HAUNTED MANSION and THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS. His fabled career at the Disney studios is fascinating.
WILL RYAN and PHIL BARON
As Willio and Phillio, this musical comedy team sold millions of Disneyland records in the 70's. They've written songs, done lots of voices (Phil was Teddy Ruxpin, Will is Eugene on "Adventures in Odyssey") and would be a great live act if they can be convinced to perform a historic reunion concert.
ROBERTA SHORE
She costarred in THE SHAGGY DOG and appeared as the "mean girl" in the Mickey Mouse Club Annette serial, and did several Disney records. She now lives in Salt Lake City and is a really nice person, not at all like that character she played in the Annette serial.
MICHAEL & PATTY SILVERSHER
They wrote numerous Disney songs for records starting with MOUSERCISE and still write them for videos, series and specials.
ALAN YOUNG
He made the role of Uncle Scrooge his own with his landmark Disney LP, "Dicken's Christmas Carol," in which he also played Mickey! Of course, he's best known as Wilbur Post on "Mister Ed," but he's a fine writer/producer with many other impressive credits that go back to the golden days of radio.
TERI YORK
She narrated ACTING OUT THE ABC'S, sang on BABES IN TOYLAND and LADY AND THE TRAMP albums, and even recorded guide tracks for Annette. She was a well-known TV personality in Southern California as well.
LUCILLE BLISS
In addition to voicing Anastasia in CINDERELLA, Lucille narrated the Disneyland PETER COTTONTAIL album and several read along little LP's. She was also Smurfette and Crusader Rabbit.
LONNIE BURR
Lonnie sang on some of the first Mickey Mouse Club records as an original Mouseketeer and is a multitalented actor/writer. Any other Mouseketeers would be great to include, too.
DESIREE GOYETTE
Singer/songwriter who sang on the TOTALLY MINNIE LP and composed and sang for the FLASHBEAGLE album. She's worked on numerous Peanuts and Garfield projects. Maybe she could perform too (?)
LARRY GROCE
His CHILDREN'S FAVORITES records for Disneyland have never been out of circulation in one form or another. Today he hosts public radio and TV's Mountain Stage show.
GENNIFER CHOLDENKO
The daughter of first Disneyland Records president Jimmy Johnson, she appeared on some records as a child and is now an Newbery honor winning children's author of "Al Capone Does My Shirts."
GREY JOHNSON
Jimmy's son Grey also appeared on ACTING OUT THE ABC'S and THE UGLY DUCKLING and is now in broadcasting.
BILL FARMER, RUSSI TAYLOR, WAYNE ALLWINE and others
The voices of Goofy, Minnie and Mickey might be nice to invite, along with other Disney Character voice actors who have done Disney recordings.
It might also be nice to include some of the amazing behind the scenes engineers, producers and other creative folks who made the records so great, including Ted Kryczko, Jymn Magon, Bruce Botnick, Larry Blakely, Tom Bocci, Jim Andron, Gary Powell, Jay Landers, George and Dawn Charouhas, Bambi Mo?, Ron Kidd, Betty Joyce, Gary Krisel, Shelley Miles, Eddy Medora, Pat Patrick, Shep Stern, Carson Van Osten as well as Tutti's son Paul Camarata who now runs the legendary Sunset Sound Studios.
This is just a wish-list, of course, but it might give some idea of who you might consider. I apololize if I left anyone out -- there are many more, of course.
MOUSE TRACKS comes out in April, so perhaps some of these names may become more familar after reading the book. At least, we really hope you read it!